The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Australian surf kayaker Katie Smith.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview is available here.

Name: Katie Smith
Age: 24
Nationality: I am Australian, but a US Permanent Resident.
Occupation: Paramedic
Sponsors: AT Paddles, Wave Sport
Recent competition results:

• 2nd in International class Santa Cruz, 2005 th
• 7th in International Class, at the Worlds in Costa Rica 2005
• 1st in both International and High Performance in Santa Cruz, 2006
• 1st in both International and High Performance in San Simeon, 2006
• 1st in World Cup in Peniche!

When did you start surf kayaking?

My husband Demany demanded I begin kayaking before he would marry me! OK, it wasn't quite like that but he did buy me a bunch of kayaking gear while we were dating and took me out to a lake to teach me how to roll. I was not impressed, and it wasn't until about 6 months later that I finally took a roll class and began with some class 2 rivers. We would go out into the surf during the week after work! I always loved the ocean, so I quickly took to the surf kayaking!

When did you join the US team?

In February 2005 for the World Championships in Costa Rica.

What was the best experience you had with the champion team...

On the beach in Costa Rica when Dave "the wave" Johnston took the biggest wave of the comp in his last team heat. Myself and the rest of the team were all on the beach cheering and screaming and it felt like we were the greatest team in the world!! And then we won, which validated those feelings!

What were your expectation last year in Portugal?

My surfing had improved dramatically over the last year, since Costa Rica. I have been feeling really good about my surfing, and I was confident that I would do well.

Afterwards, I felt really happy with the way I had surfed. I had had a good heat, with 3 really nice waves and hoped that was enough! I never try to predict if I have won a heat or not, because you just never know! I had to wait until the ceremony to find out, and it was quite nerve-racking!

What did you think about Peniche beach?

I absolutely loved it! I thought the waves were really fun and made for a very dynamic competition! It was incredible to be staying right across the street, it made the whole experience really easy and laid back! I also loved that the ship washed up on the beach! It made for some great photos!

I absolutely fell in love with Portugal. The people were ridiculously friendly, the food was delicious, the weather was excellent and the landscape was beautiful. Portugal is definitely a place I would like to come back to and spend some time exploring!

Do you also do whitewater kayaking?

I do about equal amounts of surf and white water kayaking, but I prefer to Surf! Usually, I white water kayak in the spring and summer, and then surf during the fall and winter when the swell is bigger. California is a great place to be a kayaker, as there is always a river to run, or good swell, all year round.

Is experience in similar types of sports important for surf kayaking?

I think that the more experience you have in any sport, the more dynamic you will be as a surf kayaker. Whitewater keeps you strong, physically and mentally, while board surfing keeps you in tune with the ocean and improves your wave reading and drop-in skills. I am a big fan of always having a different sport to play at and while I don't think experience in white water or board surfing is needed, I think it allows you to progress further!

In your opinion, what is the current state of surf kayak design? Are things innovating?

I am excited at the progression in boat design recently! I think the designers are coming out with new and cutting edge ideas, and the performance of the newer kayaks really show this off. The kayaks are coming out faster, shorter, lighter and more aggressive than ever before, and I hope it continues in this way! These newer designs are enabling a newer and more exciting style of surfing! Big moves and big air!

What do you think of the new "big aerials" in surf kayaks?

I love big aerials, the English guys are especially good at them! I love watching guys like Chris Harvey and Darren Basson push the sport to new levels. I think that's what aerials are - the future of the sport! I often dream of being able to get air! Maybe one day!

Last year, in Mundaka, the juries were surf boarders (as always). What do you think of this idea?

Demany and I have put on a couple of competitions and we have used board surfing judges. They are excellent at scoring the more progressive moves and are also unbiased, because they don't know the competitors! I have found them to be very accurate and consistent with their judging. Perhaps a mix of board surfing and kayak surf judges would be the ultimate combination!

Your favorite surf kayak?

I have been in the Murky Waters Reaction, designed by Vince Shay for almost 2 years. Vince let me borrow his on a surf trip around Southern Cali and I have been hooked ever since. It will be very difficult to get me out of that kayak.. It is the only boat I have paddled that has both excellent stability and outstanding performance at the same time!

Your scariest moment at sea?

I dropped into a pretty big wave at a left reef break in Nor Cal. I then changed my mind and tried to pull off as it pitched, throwing me over the falls, and imploding my skirt. It is a really sharky, reefy break that is pretty far from the shore, and I had to swim all the way in with just my bare leg and shorts dangling as shark bait! I was sure I was going to get eaten!! (can you tell I do not like sharks?)

Is there a surf kayaker you admire most for his/her skills and technique?

I really admire Dave Johnston! He is so modest and humble, and is one of the most consistent and graceful surf kayakers I know! He has an impressive competition style, and I have learnt a ton by watching him. Dave only ever catches the biggest and best waves and has an uncanny ability to be calm and patient during his heats! He is an excellent wave reader and really performs on the wave! When I am out in a heat and tempted to catch a small wave, I ask myself, "What would Dave do?". It works!! I also admire Chris Harvey for his incredible dedication to the sport, his endless positive attitude, his cutting edge style and ridiculous aerials!

Where do you usually surf?

I usually surf somewhere between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, depending on the swell size and conditions. My 2 favorite places are Davenport Landing (15 mins north of Santa Cruz) or Ross Cove (semi secret sport 30 mins south San Fran)

And what is your favorite spot?

Big Drakes (lost coast, near Santa Barbara) minus all the mean board surfers!

Davenport Landing

Favorite move?

The favorite move that I am capable of is hitting the lip. It is something I have just learnt to do, and something more women should be trying!! I have many more favorite moves (like all the end moves and aerials the boys do) but I have yet to do any of them! It is my dream to be able to pull off a big move some day!!

Some suggestions for starting kayak surfers?

Just do it! It is a really rewarding sport!

Thanks Katie and keep riding!

Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - www.foto-reportagem.com + kayaksurf.net